Turn up the volume on your Atlantic Canadian road trip

By Denise Surette on May 16, 2018

Load up your playlist with some of Atlantic Canada’s best tunes, to get you where you’re going on your next road trip. These homegrown artist tracks will keep your fingers tapping on the steering wheel and singing along as you cruise through our beautiful provinces:

Sonny’s Dream – Ron Hynes: This classic from one of Newfoundland’s most celebrated artists will bring a tear to your eye and leave a song in your heart.

Nowhere With You – Joel Plaskett: If there was ever a song to get you pumped up for a night of shenanigans, this is it — best played before a tour of downtown Halifax’s pubs.

Barrett’s Privateers – Stan Rogers: Is there a more classic East Coast tune? Roger’s smooth voice will take you straight to the docks of old-timey Maritime shores.

I’m Not Ready to Go – The Trews: This pick-me-up will have you shouting the lyrics along with the pride of Antigonish.

Working Man – Rita MacNeil featuring The Men of the Deep: Cape Breton’s sweetheart went international with this song, with a little help from her friends.

Cocaine Cowgirl – Matt Mays and El Torpedo: This gem from Cole Harbour’s Matt Mays’ early career is always a crowd-pleaser.

The Mobile Goat – Joan Morrissey: Newfoundland’s first lady of song has been gone a long time, but her sweet voice lives on through classics like this one.

The Maritimes – Classified: An homage to Classified’s homeland could make even the coldest heart long for home — and it even manages to give a shout out to Halifax donairs.

Peter’s Dream – Lennie Gallant: This may be the most wistful of all Atlantic fishing songs — a lament to the days of yore on the North Atlantic seas.

Freedom – Rose Cousins: This silk-voiced singer from P.E.I. sings a moving tale of the cost of freedom.

Feel the Same Way Too – The Rankins: These Celtic masters have a long list of East Coast toe-tappers, but this one is sure to get the whole car singing.

I’m Moving On – Hank Snow: The God-father of country music surely must make any list of Atlantic Canadian classics — this one was his biggest hit.

All Lit Up – REPARTEE: This catchy tune got REPARTEE nominated for a 2017 ECMA for Pop Recording of the Year.

The Night Pat Murphy Died – Great Big Sea: This cover of one of Newfoundland’s greatest folk songs is an energetic rendition of the classic drinking tune.

In the Air – City Natives: New Brunswick-based rap artists have a long list of tunes — this one brings flavours of old-school hip-hop to charge you up.

Ice Cream – Sarah McLachlan: Although she’s an international star, McLachlan started out in Halifax — this is just one of many fan-favourites.

Snowbird – Anne Murray: A fresh-faced Murray sang this ditty in 1969 and no East Coast song list is complete without it.

Ooh Love – Ria Mae: A hit on the radio and a hit in our Hearts, Ria Mae knocks it out of the Park with this tune that will have you bopping along.